docs: def registerItem(self, itemName, description=None):
          """
          creates an entry for a given item. Once the entry is created, then
          the item can be uploaded by parts.  Once finished, a commit call is
          made to merge the parts together.
          Inputs:
           itemName - name of the item to upload
           description - optional description describing the file.
          Output:
           dictionary
          """
          url = self._url + "/register"
          params = {
              "f" : "json",
              "itemName" : itemName,
              "description" : ""
          }
          if description is not None:
              params['description'] = description
          return self._post(url=url,
                               param_dict=params,
                               proxy_url=self._proxy_url,
                               proxy_port=self._proxy_port,
                               securityHandler=self._securityHandler)